So Long AirTran!!

[DemoBri1]

The day I have been dreading has finally arrived. Southwest has finally closed the deal to purchase the remaining stock of AirTran Holdings parent company of AirTran Airlines. What does this mean for those of us who still held out hope? No more assigned seats or business class.

Even though they used to swap flight times I still liked having an alternative. Now it is either SW or flying non-direct out of MDW to MCO. Maybe I'll have to try and squeeze one more trip on AirTran prior to 1Q of 2012.

 

[dudspizza]

I personally am nervous about Airtran going away in Minneapolis. Airtran has been very competitive and many times the cheapest to MCO. SW, on the other hand, has been VERY HIGH. I am nervous that the low fares will go away leaving MSP with even higher prices. This doesn't help competition in MSP, in my opinion. I hope SW steps up and keeps the low fares Airtran offered here in the MSP market.


Here is the press release. http://www.airtran.com/lowfaresfarther/

Today is an exciting day for AirTran Airways as we become part of the Southwest family. For now, it's business as usual, but the integration of these two great airlines will soon result in an expansion of already low-fares and continued outstanding service for our Customers.

Announcement Highlights:
For now, nothing will change. It's business as usual.
Continue to book travel at www.airtran.com
Your A+ Rewards credits and A+ Elite status are safe.
Find up–to-date information on www.lowfaresfarther.com
Business as Usual
Today, AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines will begin working to integrate the two carriers but for now, nothing will change and it's business as usual. This mean you'll book travel just as you do now at www.airtran.com or by calling 1-800-AIRTRAN. Also, there will be no immediate changes to either airline's current policies including seating configuration, boarding process, route map, baggage fees and frequent flier program.

A+ Rewards Program
For our A+ Rewards members, rest assured, existing A+ Rewards credits and A+ Rewards Elite status are safe. Members will continue to earn and redeem A+ credits just as you do today. Over time, and with the appropriate notices, A+ Rewards will be merged into the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. We will proactively communicate with members as we near milestones in the integration process. Should you have questions about the program or need additional information, please visit www.aplusrewards.com or call 1-888-3-APLUS-8 (888-327-5878).

Our Combined Future
AirTran and Southwest are now one family committed to providing the best customer experience to more than 100 million Customers annually from more than 100 airports. As a combined company we intend to strengthen and expand low-fare competition. And once the FAA grants a Single Operating Certificate (expected in the first quarter of 2012) the entire AirTran Airways fleet will gradually be transitioned into the Southwest paint scheme and seating configuration. Reservations and ticketing systems, web sites and frequent flier programs will also be combined over time.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to the questions people ask most often about our transaction closing.

For more information, visit www.lowfaresfarther.com.

 

[DopeyDame]

I, too, was so sad when I got the Air Tran email yesterday! Both are big in BWI, so I'm not sure how much an effect it will have on prices, but I'll sure miss Air Tran.

 

[OrangeCountyCommuter]

The day I have been dreading has finally arrived. Southwest has finally closed the deal to purchase the remaining stock of AirTran Holdings parent company of AirTran Airlines. What does this mean for those of us who still held out hope? No more assigned seats or business class.

Even though they used to swap flight times I still liked having an alternative. Now it is either SW or flying non-direct out of MDW to MCO. Maybe I'll have to try and squeeze one more trip on AirTran prior to 1Q of 2012.

Some of us are very happy.

Air Tran _ ALWAYS late (My presonal favorite the agent announcing an "on time departure" when we started boarding 15 minutes AFTER the scheduled departure time LOL!)
Air Tran - RUDE

SW _ Generally on time
SW - Nice

Gee, guess which one I am going with!

I live in Atlanta which is a huge AirTran hub and avoid them if at all possible. They make Delta look organized and effiencent (and that takes some doing!)

 

[Minnesota!]

I personally am nervous about Airtran going away in Minneapolis. Airtran has been very competitive and many times the cheapest to MCO. SW, on the other hand, has been VERY HIGH. I am nervous that the low fares will go away leaving MSP with even higher prices. This doesn't help competition in MSP, in my opinion. I hope SW steps up and keeps the low fares Airtran offered here in the MSP market.


Here is the press release. http://www.airtran.com/lowfaresfarther/

Today is an exciting day for AirTran Airways as we become part of the Southwest family. For now, it's business as usual, but the integration of these two great airlines will soon result in an expansion of already low-fares and continued outstanding service for our Customers.

Announcement Highlights:
For now, nothing will change. It's business as usual.
Continue to book travel at www.airtran.com
Your A+ Rewards credits and A+ Elite status are safe.
Find up–to-date information on www.lowfaresfarther.com
Business as Usual
Today, AirTran Airways and Southwest Airlines will begin working to integrate the two carriers but for now, nothing will change and it's business as usual. This mean you'll book travel just as you do now at www.airtran.com or by calling 1-800-AIRTRAN. Also, there will be no immediate changes to either airline's current policies including seating configuration, boarding process, route map, baggage fees and frequent flier program.

A+ Rewards Program
For our A+ Rewards members, rest assured, existing A+ Rewards credits and A+ Rewards Elite status are safe. Members will continue to earn and redeem A+ credits just as you do today. Over time, and with the appropriate notices, A+ Rewards will be merged into the Southwest Rapid Rewards program. We will proactively communicate with members as we near milestones in the integration process. Should you have questions about the program or need additional information, please visit www.aplusrewards.com or call 1-888-3-APLUS-8 (888-327-5878).

Our Combined Future
AirTran and Southwest are now one family committed to providing the best customer experience to more than 100 million Customers annually from more than 100 airports. As a combined company we intend to strengthen and expand low-fare competition. And once the FAA grants a Single Operating Certificate (expected in the first quarter of 2012) the entire AirTran Airways fleet will gradually be transitioned into the Southwest paint scheme and seating configuration. Reservations and ticketing systems, web sites and frequent flier programs will also be combined over time.

Frequently Asked Questions
Here you'll find answers to the questions people ask most often about our transaction closing.

For more information, visit www.lowfaresfarther.com.

My sentiments exactly!!!! Very nervous what this brings to MSP...

Some of us are very happy.

Air Tran _ ALWAYS late (My presonal favorite the agent announcing an "on time departure" when we started boarding 15 minutes AFTER the scheduled departure time LOL!)
Air Tran - RUDE

SW _ Generally on time
SW - Nice

Gee, guess which one I am going with!

I live in Atlanta which is a huge AirTran hub and avoid them if at all possible. They make Delta look organized and effiencent (and that takes some doing!)

That might be your experience...but surely not mine! I have always been on time with AT, bar one miserable gate agent in ATL, the staff and crew has always been incredible!

 

[kaffinito]

Well I'm sad about it. I haven't had any problems with late or canceled flights, their customer service has always been great, and their fares have always been the cheapest for us out of DTW.

Now we'll be stuck with SW with their crappy customer service, late/canceled/ delayed flights, their huge prices and their faulty planes.

 

[Missytara]

I am also very sad.

Airtran has been competitive out of BWI, even with the baggage and seat fee.

I like knowing I have a seat, and don't have to do EBCI or get to guest relations 24 hours in advance to check-in, and the entire cattle call boarding.

I have always loved Airtran, and unfortunately after this trip after Thanksgiving, I guess I will no longer be able to fly non-stop to MCO, because SW and Airtran were the only ones. I will be flying anyone but SW.

 

[Mary T in PA]

I have several trips booked this year on AirTran, and it will be a sad day when AirTran is no more next year.

AirTran from Pittsburgh, PA to MCO provided us assigned seating and business class and nonstop flights at decent prices.

SW offers nonstop service but the cattle call and a total lack of business class sucks.

And SW employees are RUDE. Worst flight of my life was on SW. Very ignorant Flight attendant treated my DD8 terribly and literally got in my face when she got sick - FA had the nerve to tell me what to do with my daughter, not a suggestion, she told me and I resented it, I am very aware of how to handle my daughter's situation, and all my DD did was start to cry because she said things loud enough that several rows heard and young guys behind us started to make fun of my DD. I vowed never again, unless they give up their stupid cattle call and get better employees. Not to mention how ignorant some employees are that work in the terminal at MCO.

On all of the AT flights, we have had very understanding FAs, very wonderful people.

All we are hoping for is an up and coming airline to takeover and give SW competition and work out of Pitt.

How I wish SW would have become part of AirTran!!

 

[Dan Murphy]

A sad day for sure.

I was on an AirTran flight to MCO on Monday morning. When we took off from Milwaukee, flight attendant said welcome to AirTran. When it landed, he said welcome to SW. It became official while we were in flight.

 

[mom2brooke76]

How is Southwest's boarding any less of a cattle call than other airlines? I know they don't assign seats, but now they do assign A, B, and C boarding groups with corresponding numbers 1-60 which are assigned based upon the time you check in. Unlike before, now people line up right before boarding based on their letter/number. They do A's first and the line area has the numbers to show you where to stand. I sure like that much better than other airlines "boarding zones" which is a free for all madhouse among others in your same group.

 

[Alexander]

How is Southwest's boarding any less of a cattle call than other airlines? I know they don't assign seats, but now they do assign A, B, and C boarding groups with corresponding numbers 1-60 which are assigned based upon the time you check in. Unlike before, now people line up right before boarding based on their letter/number. They do A's first and the line area has the numbers to show you where to stand. I sure like that much better than other airlines "boarding zones" which is a free for all madhouse among others in your same group.

Free for all madhouse? You get on the plane and the seat you are assigned is yours. You don't have to check in at 24 hours ahead to get that coveted A boarding pass. The boarding zones of other airlines is to alleviate people in the front blocking the aisles for those in the back. They book from the rear forward to make things go faster.

 

[DebbieB]

Free for all madhouse? You get on the plane and the seat you are assigned is yours. You don't have to check in at 24 hours ahead to get that coveted A boarding pass. The boarding zones of other airlines is to alleviate people in the front blocking the aisles for those in the back. They book from the rear forward to make things go faster.

At least SW's boarding line is orderly, my experience is the others can be a madhouse. The other airlines people are huddled up to the gate starting 20 to 30 minutes before and make a mad dash when their zone is called. A "gentleman" wearing a nice suit will knock over a little old lady to get on first to find a spot for his carryon. I traveled this week on USAirways and it was crazy, people pushing to get up closer. At least the gate agent on my one flight turned away people trying to board before their zone, that is rare. This is mostly due to the bag fees, people carryon more luggage and want to be sure to get a spot.

 

[Nancy F]

I really hate this. I loved flying with Airtran. I liked the option of upgrading. For those that don't want or need to upgrade... fine. But for those of us that are willing to pay... at least give us the option.
Nancy

 

[Dacky619]

I'm not going to miss Airtran too much. They have changed our flight times waay too much. I am sad at the loss of competition though. We often fly BWI to MCO and as others have mentioned, SW and AT are basically the only 2 direct options there.

 

[Alexander]

At least SW's boarding line is orderly, my experience is the others can be a madhouse. The other airlines people are huddled up to the gate starting 20 to 30 minutes before and make a mad dash when their zone is called. A "gentleman" wearing a nice suit will knock over a little old lady to get on first to find a spot for his carryon. I traveled this week on USAirways and it was crazy, people pushing to get up closer. At least the gate agent on my one flight turned away people trying to board before their zone, that is rare. This is mostly due to the bag fees, people carryon more luggage and want to be sure to get a spot.

I guess the point is if you don't want to be part of this madhouse, you sit in your chair and board when the line is gone and your seat on the plane is still there. We always board last so the kids don't have to be on the plane any longer than necessary and we don't have to worry about not sitting together and being stuck in furthest seats back.

When boarding begins, we head to the restrooms and grab something to drink. By the time we get back, the line is gone and we walk onto the plane with no problems.

 

[Uncleromulus]

An assigned seat with mob boarding, vs. sit where ever you can get to the fastest with mob boarding--I'll take the assigned seats.

I'll miss Airtran assigned seats and business class. Flown them these last 12trips with no delays, mishaps, etc .

 

[mom2brooke76]

What people don't seem to realize (and I'm guessing it's because they haven't flown SW since the boarding change) is that there is no longer the "mob boarding" and waiting in line for 2 hours before your flight. You are now assigned a letter and corresponding number for your flight based upon your check-in time. They now how "posts" that show, for example, number 1-5, 5-10, etc, and you line up according to the letter that they announce at that time, and then within your number group. You'd be surprised at how much nicer this is than the other airlines. And although I fly SW normally, I've flown lots of the others recently taking my dd to visit her dad in Chicago. So I've experienced them both. Yes, it's nice to get an assigned seat so that I know where both my dd and I will be sitting, but in 50+ times of flying SW with her, I've never had an issue finding us seats together. Of course, we always check in at the 24 hour mark (only once have I paid for early bird check in). I also love the fact that they've never once changed our flight times once they're posted, and their customer service has been second to none.

Granted, I'm sure that I'd be just as upset had Airtran bought out SW, so I really do feel for all of you that are losing your favorite airline. I just hope that you'll give SW a shot if you haven't already.

 

[LidoDeck]

We are frequent flyers on Southwest with an occasional AirTran. We liked it when AirTran had non-stops between Orlando & Portland Maine. Without the non-stop option, we book Southwest all the time now as it is faster to fly to Manchester and drive to Maine from there.

We do strongly prefer seat assignments and will gladly pay for them. But AirTran changes flights / times too often for us and their baggage fees are too much (encourages passengers to carry all their crap onboard).

We are hoping Southwest will learn some good things from AirTran and the changeover will be an improvement.

 

[zev]

I am one of the happy ones for this!!! Out of Denver SW has some of the best prices, and I love that it includes 2 checked bags. I'm from Atlanta so finally SW will go to the ATL. I had some loyalty to Delta and Airtran but they screwed that up years ago. SW for me offers the best bang for the buck. Until someone else proves better, I will stick with em.

 

[marlaine8]

We are booked on Airtran in Sept. We paid extra for seat assignments.
Will anything be changed by then? Will they still be honoring the paid-for seat assignments? If not, will they refund me the money I spent on seat assignments?